Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Garage Beverage Manufacturing to buy Campari Australia’s factory

Garage Beverage Manufacturing will buy Campari Australia’s manufacturing site located at Derrimut, Victoria, according to trade publication The Shout. Campari Australia’s Managing Director Jacopo Borsa is quoted as saying the sale is part of a broader strategy to focus on the sale and marketing of the company’s brands, which include Aperol, Campari, Skyy Vodka, and Wild Turkey. The sale is scheduled to be complete “towards the middle of this year”, according to the article on Wednesday, with Garage Beverages continuing to produce Campari’s brands as part of the deal. Garage Beverages was established in 2011 and is privately owned.

Improvements in seaweed farming needed before industry develops properly

Research from Monash University and the University of the Sunshine Coast on land-based seaweed cultivation suggests Australia has a long way to go before it can capitalise on growing global demand for seaweed farming. Researchers found that key improvements to farming equipment and practices could provide a much-needed kickstart for an industry supplying food, pharmaceuticals, building materials and other industrial users. Lead researcher, Dr Belinda Comerford, said global production of algal aquaculture like seaweed has increased 4.3 times in the past 20 years. “Our work focuses on giving industry the tools and expertise to produce yields that will make their operations commercially viable on a large scale,” Comerford said. The team’s study at the Bribie Island Research Centre in Queensland found that the tanks needed to better mimic underwater light conditions, with the study showing the seaweed experienced periods of under- and over-exposure to light as the seaweed rotated around the tank.

Lyn George elected AFCG Chair

Lyn George, the Corporate Director of Austeng and Director of the Geelong Manufacturing Council, has been elected Chair of the Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong board. The AFGC, which counts over 25 Geelong-based members, shared the news on Linkedin on Wednesday. George said: “I’m truly honored to take on the role of Chair of the Board for the Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong (AFCG), a collaboration-driven organisation dedicated to advancing innovation, industry growth, and global competitiveness in fibre composites and advanced manufacturing. As Chair, I look forward to working with our members and stakeholders to drive the continued growth and success of this thriving industry. Exciting times ahead!”

Federal government announces $54 million for prefab homes

The federal government announced “a targeted investment of $54 million in advanced manufacturing of prefabricated and modular home construction” in the lead-up to Tuesday’s budget. According to a statement on Friday, the funding involves $49.3 million supporting state and territory governments “to invest in local programs that grow the prefab and modular housing industry” and another $4.7 million to develop a voluntary national certification process for offsite construction. Industry minister Ed Husic said, “We’re backing Aussie manufacturers to build more quality houses, faster with this investment. Making a house in a factory instead of onsite can cut construction time in half. For the first time, manufacturers and home-owners will have a national certification process to cut the red tape that has been holding back use of these techniques.”

NSW Chief Scientist to deliver engineering lecture